In a fiery press conference on Tuesday, former UFC superstar Ronda Rousey launched a scathing attack on the Ultimate Fighting Championship, accusing the mixed martial arts promotion of underpaying its athletes despite massive corporate profits. The ex-bantamweight champion, who is promoting her upcoming superfight against Gina Carano on Netflix in May, did not hold back in her criticism, specifically targeting UFC's parent company, TKO Group Holdings.
Rousey's Blistering Critique of UFC Compensation
Rousey argued that the UFC has deteriorated from being the premier destination for fair pay in combat sports to one of the worst. She highlighted the stark contrast between the organization's financial success and the struggles faced by many fighters. "This company just got $7.7 billion. There's no reason they can't afford to pay their athletes at least a living wage," Rousey stated emphatically. She pointed out that top athletes are leaving the UFC in search of better compensation elsewhere, a trend she finds alarming.
OnlyFans Mention Ignites Controversy
During her rant, Rousey specifically referenced women's featherweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, noting that Shevchenko hosts an OnlyFans page. "It's why their champions, like Valentina, are selling pictures of their t—— on OnlyFans," Rousey said, suggesting that such side hustles are necessary due to inadequate UFC pay. She emphasized that many fighters at the grassroots level cannot support their families and live in poverty despite fighting full-time.
Shevchenko's Sharp Retort
Valentina Shevchenko quickly fired back at Rousey's comments, defending her use of OnlyFans and taking a jab at Rousey's fighting career. In a post on X, Shevchenko wrote, "It's 2026. Fighters using OnlyFans is just a new way to connect with fans. Looks like Ronda slept too long after her last fight in 2016." This pointed reference alludes to Rousey's swift defeat by Amanda Nunes in 2016, which marked her most recent MMA bout. Shevchenko's response underscores the growing tension between the two champions, adding a personal edge to the dispute over fighter compensation.
Rousey's Broader Criticisms of UFC Management
Beyond pay issues, Rousey also criticized UFC's management structure, particularly the role of president Dana White. She claimed that White's transition from an owner to an employee under TKO has negatively impacted the promotion. "Most of my criticisms of the UFC now is because Dana isn't the owner and he isn't calling the shots and he isn't running things the way that he wants," Rousey explained. She argued that this shift has led to poor decisions, such as the upcoming White House card in June, which she labeled as subpar. "He knows the White House card sucks," Rousey added, asserting that White is unhappy with the event's shortcomings.
Social Media Spat and Promotion
The feud spilled over onto social media, where Rousey continued to promote her Netflix fight while taking shots at the UFC. In a post, she touted the addition of Francis Ngannou versus Philipe Lins as a co-main event, writing, "How's THAT for a bamf laden double headliner? That's what happens when you put fighters and fans ahead of shareholders." She concluded with, "P.S. @ufc's White House card sucks," reinforcing her disdain for the promotion's current direction. This ongoing public exchange highlights the deepening rift between Rousey and the UFC, as well as the broader issues of athlete welfare in professional sports.
As the debate over fighter pay intensifies, Rousey's outspoken comments have sparked a wider conversation about equity in mixed martial arts. With Shevchenko's defiant response and the upcoming Netflix event, this feud promises to remain in the spotlight, drawing attention to the economic challenges faced by UFC athletes.
